Chapter 2
Ron stifled his groans as he carefully approached the seating area, or now known as where “the benched” gathered to take a break from the lessons. He particularly needed one, rubbing his throbbing shoulder from the impact of the duel with Hermione. He shared a polite smile with some Hufflepuff girl before taking a seat, and wasted no time melting into the sofa.
It was another of Dumbledore’s Army meetings, and today they’re applying the spells they've learnt less than an hour ago in combat. Ron pulled a short straw and got coupled up with his best friend, Hermione. The corner of his mouth quirked when he recalled the apologetic but triumphant smile his best friend sent him when their duel ended. She packed a punch in that 10” inch wand.
Honestly, he wasn't bummed up to be benched so soon. He knew when his body was at its limit, it was not often that he'd deny his body from rest. With quidditch practices, prefect duties, and now being thrown like a rag doll, he deserved a break. Sure, he'd be used to these next year, but make no mistake that this is his first year to be in the gryffindor’s team and a prefect. He's bound to miss his bed.
Again, he wasn't bummed up. Especially not since the very spot he sat on has the perfect view of Anthony Goldstein, clad in his white muggle buttoned shirt with rolled up sleeves, displaying his sculpted arms with defined veins. Ron watched his boyfriend’s duel with interest. The ravenclaw was paired with Marietta Edgecombe, someone Ron wouldn't know the name of, if not for the fact that the girl was Anthony’s ex. Random pair is a bad idea, and reminded him to reprimand Hermione for suggesting such a thing.
Both of the ravenclaws fought well, he must admit, Marietta held her ground and responded to Anthony's hexes quite skillfully. He couldn't look away, the heavy knot at the pit of his stomach won't stop him from admiring their duel. Anthony must've felt his gaze bore into him, because he glanced in Ron’s direction and flashed a too quick wink (Ron would've missed it if he wasn't already so focused on him) before casting a “protego” against his partner's jinx.
He continued to be their spectator until he felt the sofa dipped next to him. He only meant to take a glimpse of the person before focusing back on the two, but then a hint of recognition flashed across his face as he greeted her, "Padma.”. They haven't talked much outside of their prefect meetings, the humiliating memory of yule ball is still fresh in his mind. He apologized, but it was still rather awkward to be in her presence, something that was entirely his fault.
Padma shifted her weight and settled on the sofa, smoothing out the wrinkles of her skirt. “Oh, please. I’m not gonna bite you, Ron.” she teased, while fishing out her compact mirror from her pocket. She began to run her free hand through her hair, before looking at his own, and offered to share. They proceeded to make a silly image, cramming themselves closer together to fit into the small frame, and fixing their disheveled hair. Ron strained to stretch his hand a little further to create more space, having to be the one holding the mirror due to his longer limb.
Once they were satisfied with their appearances, Padma gave him a once-over, “You're too good-looking to be insecure about Edgecombe. No offense, but you're by far Anthony's partner that I like the most.” Her earnest expression contrasts Ron’s bewildered one.
“Thanks?” Ron doesn't like being called out, and he hoped she'd drop the subject. But she continued.
“I've never seen him so productive before, and I'm so sure he'd often arrive late to D.A. if not to see you.” Ron felt heat go up to his ears, and he opened his mouth to defend his boyfriend when Padma carried on. “Oh! can't you tell he's stepping out of the shadows, nowadays? Most people don't know he existed before. But now our housemates are tired of seeing his name in everything.” Her arms gestures conveyed how exasperated she was.
Ron couldn't help but snort, “That's not true at all, he still procrastinates.” He recalled how many times Anthony had stressed himself to catch up to his homeworks at the last minute. Though, regarding stepping out of his circle, “Hm, you're right. I actually saw him around more with a bunch of different clubs this year. Honestly, I didn't even know what his name was until last year.” He groaned, feeling the need to share how ridiculous the situation was. Imagine not speaking to your classmate for years, then deciding to date them after knowing them for a semester.
Padma hummed, sympathizing with his feelings. “It’s because you're too caught up in your own world during our shared classes. I dreaded my classes with Gryffindor actually. Big offense.” Her grin widened when Ron muttered out, “Oh, please.”. She continued, “But then you two spoke at yule ball right? I saw you got cozy with each other. You dumped me for a boy.” She bumped her shoulder to Ron's.
“You’re exaggerating, you dumped me first.” Ron scoffed, feeling comfortable enough to joke around at the topic of their yule ball. “Then I spoke to Anthony. You mixed up the timeline there.”
“That was because you were being boring. I wanted to dance, and you wanted to mope around feeling bitter because your best friend, whom you used to crush on, went out with your celebrity crush.” Ron almost placed his hand over her mouth right there and then if his brain didn't helpfully reminded him that was not a good idea. Where in Merlin's beard did she get the idea from? Padma shrugged innocently. “What?”
“It's not about that, at all. The whole thing was just weird, he was eighteen while Hermione was barely fifteen. And I just felt like it wouldn't be fair to Harry to go out with one of his opponents. I took loyalty seriously, Padma.” Ron blabbled his way out of the accusation. He also couldn't believe what he said.
Padma’s eyebrows furrowed as her face morphed into a solemn look, nodding along as if to please a little child. “Yes, it wasn't as if you wished to be sandwiched by them, not at all.” Ron bent forward and placed his face in his hands, screaming internally. “Hey, don't be ashamed if that's true. Nobody would blame you. Well, Anthony will be jealous, but it's not about him.``
Ron’s voice muffled by his hands, “Have you ever been this insufferable?”
Padma rose from the sofa, stretching her limbs lazily. She found her energy through their whole interactions, and felt rather spirited to continue dueling. She patted Ron's back in reassurance, “Feel better yet?”
He sighed, remembering breathing exercises as he removed his head from his hands. “Nope, you made it worse. Go back there and don't talk to me again.” Padma giggled at his monotone. She delicately waved her hand goodbye before entering the dueling area once more. Ron would've joined her if he didn't feel just exhausted from her comments. However, Ron felt strangely at ease. Melting into the sofa easily once more. The forgotten heavy knot seemed to dissipate, and he no longer focused solely on Anthony and his ex, and instead found himself equally entertained by other duels.